Many Countries, Including in Africa, “embracing” Catholic Mental Health Ministry: Official at SECAM Plenary Assembly

He added, “Suicides are on the rise, mental health challenges for the youth are on the rise, and this cries out for the love of Jesus Christ in the presence of his church.”

“It's so good to see the Bishops and other leaders and lay people in Africa embracing and seeing the need for this ministry,” the CMHM President, who has visited several African countries in recent weeks, told ACI Africa.

Credit: ACI Africa

CMHM, which began in the United States, now operates in over 73 countries. 

“It is a global ministry at this stage. It's a ministry of the time. In 2025 I think we all realize mental health needs to be taken care of, and we need to take care of our spiritual life too as we take care of our mental health,” he said.

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Explaining CMHM’s presence in Africa, Deacon Shoener said, “We're in Ethiopia, we're in Kenya, we're in Uganda, we're in South Africa, we're in Lesotho. Those are the countries that come to mind right off the top of my head, but there are many countries.”

Permanent Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM). Credit: ACI Africa

Deacon Shoener described the expansion of the ministry as a sign of divine guidance, saying, “This is the work of the Holy Spirit. I’m not smart enough to have figured out how to start a global ministry. So all of this is an amazing thing to me, and it tells me that the Holy Spirit is guiding this ministry, not me.”

He added, “This is clearly a ministry that Christ wants to be present to people with these challenges, and I go where the Holy Spirit blows and sends me.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Deacon Shoener is set to speak at the SECAM Plenary in Kigali to share knowledge about the association.

“I'm here at the SECAM meeting because I've been asked to speak about the mental health ministry, and I've talked to many Bishops who are here and who support this ministry. It's good to be here with all the good people at SECAM who see the importance of this ministry,” he told ACI Africa.

Themed “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace”, SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly will build on what the 19th Plenary Assembly that was held in July 2022 mandated Africa’s Catholic Bishops to accomplish.

Permanent Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM). Credit: ACI Africa

According to the “last version” of the program that SECAM leadership shared with ACI Africa, the July 30 – August 4 Plenary Assembly that the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR) will host will have daily Eucharistic celebration, as well as sessions for reports from SECAM President and Presidents of Regionals Conferences.

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There will also be presentation of documents, solidarity messages from SECAM partners, and a “closed session” for Bishops and SECAM Secretaries among other activities.

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